Refrigerated display case



Sept. 12, 1950 Filed March 29, 1947 E. F. BRILL ETAL 2,522,090

REFRIGERATED DISPLAY CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1? M QXL. 35512? Sept. 12,1950 E. F. BRILL ET AL 2,522,090

REFRIGERATED DISPLAY CASE Filed March 29, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 laiented Sept. 12, 1950 BEFRIGERATED DISPLAY CASE Edward F. Brill andOrval Schroeder, Milwaukee. Wis.; said Schroeder assignor to said BrillApplication March 29, 1947, Serial'No. 738,182

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates, in general, to refrigerated display cases andhas particular relation to improvements in refrigerated display caseswhich are adapted to contain and display articles of merchandise, suchas frozen foodsand the like, and to keep the merchandise in a cool andrefrigerated condition and at the same time permit effective display ofthe articles or packages of frozen food or the like, and free andconvenien access to the same by the customer.

While the particular display case which we shall describe hereinafter inconnection with the drawings is, in general, of the type in which therefrigerated compartment for the articles of merchandise may, when inservice, be open at one side, for example, at the front, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited in all respects to thisparticular type of case, but may be embodied in other cases as suitableor desired.

In prior refrigerated display cases for selfservice of frozen foods andthe like, difficulties have been encountered in keeping the articles ofmerchandise in a cool and refrigerated condition and, at the same time,in position for effective and satisfactory display and for ready andfree access by the customer for removal from the case. Difiiculty hasalso been encountered in sealing the case against the entry of warm airand in preventing the collection of moisture and frosting', particularlyon the exposed surfaces of the articles or packages within the case andon the adjacent parts of the case. Moreover, prior cases of this sorthave not had provision for supporting, for example on shelves, regularor other shaped articles that may be so supported and displayed incombination with one or more wells for irregular or other shapedarticles not adapted to be so supported and displayed'and in such mannerthat the customer may have a complete view or survey of all of thearticles-those on the shelves and those in the wellsfrom the front ofthe case.

In one prior scheme the case has had a compartment for the articles orpackage of frozen food or the like, provided with an entrance opening atthe front combined with means for .directing cold or refrigerated airupwardly at the rear to the upper part of the compartment, and forpassing the refrigerated air downwardly and forwardly immediately backof the front opening to exclude heat from the outside air. Cases of thissort have not displayed the articles of merchandise on overlyingshelves, and, where the articles are stacked in the merchandise hold ingcompartment, have relied solely on the stream 2 of refrigerated air atthe back and top and along the open front to maintain the articles incold or refrigerated condition.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to provide in a caseof the character described having' shelves for supporting the articlesor packages of frozen food or the like in overlying rows in therefrigerated display compartment, the combination with such case ofmeans for-circulating a refrigerating medium through the shelves,combined with means for passing cold or refrigerated air under pressurefrom position in proximity to the forward end of the top of the upperrow of articles downwardly over the front sides of the articles on theshelves to exclude heat from the outside and to prevent moisturecollection and frosting of the articles or packages on the shelves.

Another object of the invention is to provide a refrigerated displaycase of the character described wherein there are ducts not only at therear, and top of the compartment, but also within the shelves, combinedwith means for directing cold or refrigerated air under pressureupwardly along the rear and through the shelves to the upper part of thecompartment, and for passing this refrigerated air from position inproximity to the forward end of the top of the upper row of articlesdownwardly over the front sides of the articles on the shelves, for thepurposes described.

Another object of the invention is to provide a refrigerated displaycase of the character described wherein the shelves are in the form ofcold plates through which a suitable refrigerant or refrigerating mediumis circulated, combined with means for passing refrigerated air fromposition in proximity to the forward end of the top of the upper row ofarticles downwardly over. the front sides of the articles on the shelvesfor the purpose described.

Another object of the invention is to combine one or more wells with theshelves, in the manner more fully disclosed in our copending applicationSerial No. 738,180, filed Ma1.\29, 1947, issued as Patent Number2,499,088 on February 28, 1950, and to provide for directing downwardlyinto or toward the one or more wells the stream of cold or refrigeratedair which is directed downwardly over the front sides of the articlesfrom the top of the compartment.

Another object of the invention is to provide at the top of therefrigerated merchandise holding compartment a removable auxiliary aircooler in partial cooling or refrigeration will take place r under suchconditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a refrigeratedself-service display case of the character described having variousfeatures of novelty. and advantages, and which is particularlycharacterized by its simplicity in construction, its

economy in manufacture, and its effectiveness in use.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing detailed description, taken in connection with theaccompanyingdrawings which illustrate the manner of constructing,operating and using illustrative embodiments of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical transverse and more or less diagrammaticsectional view showing one form of case embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary detail section showing one way in whichthecold or refrigerated air may be circulated through theshelves;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing another form of caseembodying the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a view showing diagrammatically the improved dual ormultiple form of refrigerant circulating system.

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure l,this'forrn of case comprises a vertical back wall I, vertical end walls2, a vertical front wall part 3, and'a bottom wall 4. The walls I, 2,and 4 are heat insulated, for example, by forming them of metallic outerand inner shells 5 with suitable heat insulating material 5 filling thespace'between the shel1s, or otherwise as desired.

The interior of the case is divided, for example, by a horizontal wall 6into an upper refrigerated merchandise holding compartment I and a lowerstorage space. The storage space may comprise one storage compartment 8,or it may be divided into two or more storage compartments. The storagecompartment 8 has doors 9 hinged at their outer ends to the front endsof the end walls 2. When closed, the doors 9 constitute, with the frontwall part 3, a front wall of less height than the back wall I. The doors9 are preferably heat insulated, for example, as described in connectionwith the walls I, 2, and 4, or otherwise as desired.

A plurality of vertically spaced shelves H extend forwaradly from theback wall I to positions spaced rearwardly from the plane of the frontwall an amount to provide at the bottom of the front of the refrigeratedmechandise holding compartment 8 a well for articles or packages I3 ofmerchandise of irregular or other shape 1m suitable for support on theshelves II. The well I2 may be divided lengthwise of the case into aplurality of well parts, if desired. 'The spacing of the front ends ofthe upper shelves II rearwardly of the plane of the front wall of thecase permits free and convenient access to the mer- 4 chandise I3through the dispensing opening I4 at the front of the case.

A window extends upwardly from the bottom of the well I2 toapproximately the top of the front wall part 3. This window preferablycomprises a plurality of spaced transparent sheets I5 so as to provideinsulation against heat conduction therethrough, and through which thearticles of merchandise in the well I2 and the articles of merchandiseon the lower shelves are attractively displayed in such manner that thecustomer may have a complete view or survey of all of the articlesfromthe front of the case. The articles'of merchandise on the shelves IIabove the front wall part 3 are, of course, visible through thedispensing opening i l. The opening I4 may be covered at night, or whenthe case "is otherwise not in service, by a suitable cover (not shown)"which may be removed or opened during the day or otherwise when thecase is in use.

As shown more or less diagrammatically and in detail in Figure 2, eachrow of articles or packages I3 is preferably enclosed within a box-likecontainer or vessel I8. Each vessel I8 is formed, for example, of sheetmetal and has a top wall I9, rear wall 20, bottom wall 2 I, and end orside walls 22. The front end of the bottom wall 2| of each vessel isshown turned down at 23 to form an article or package stop for theforemost article or package within the underlying vessel. The vessel I8,shown at the top in Figure 2, is the vessel for the uppermost row ofarticles within the compartment l. The front ends of the top walls IQ ofthe vessels I8 beneath the upper vessel are shown abutting the.downturned flanges 23 to close the forward ends of the ducts or spacesbetween the vessels. This may, of course, be accomplished in any othersuitable manner.

The vessels I8 are preferably sealed except for the opening at the frontthrough which the packages are inserted into the vessels I8 andwithdrawn bythe customer as described. The vessels I8 may be supportedin overlying spaced relation, for example, by lugs 26 (Figure 2) turnedinwardlyfrom the inner shells of the opposite side or end walls 2,preferably without piercing the same. The spaces between the bottom wall2I of each vessel and the top wall I9 of the immediately underlyingvessel are preferably divided by plates or partitions 21. The partitions21 may be secured, for example, by rivets 28, spot welding or the like,to the bottom walls 2I of the vessel I8. Spacers 29 are provided betweenthe walls 2 Iv and the partitions 27.

The partitions 21 divide the space between the bottom walls 2| and thetop walls I9 into upper and lower ducts or passages 30 and 3|, and areshown extending at their rear ends to the inner surface of the rear wallI of the case. The forward ends of the lower ducts 3| open into theforward ends of the upper ducts 30. The rear walls 20 of the containingvessels are spaced from the inner surface of the rear wall I to formducts or passages 32, each of which places the rear end of the adjacentduct 3I in communication with the rear end of the adjacent duct 30.

The top wall I9 of the uppermost containing vessel I8 has spaced abovethe same a wall 35 provided with an opening 36 for the admission of coldor refrigerated air, as will presently appear. The wall 35 is shown asextending at the rear to the inner surface of the rear wall of the case.The forward end of the wall 35 is turned down at 40, with the downturnedpart' lfl spaced from the downturned end of the adjacent wall I9 to 5.provide at the forward end of the top of. the shelves an outlet duct 4|for discharging cold or refrigeratedair downwardly across the front endsof theforemost articles on thewshelves and into or toward the well I2. ul

Above the wall 35 is a compartmentHlB, the walls of which house part ofthe refrigerating apparatus. This apparatus per se may be of anySuitable or preferred type well known in the art. Suiiice it to statethat it is shown as comprising a compressor unit 46, evaporator pan 4?,fan motor 48, and blast cooler 49 which, in operation, delivers cold airof a, temperature adapted to maintain the articles or packages ofmerchandise in the desired cold or refrigerated condition through a duct50 and the opening 36 into the upper duct 40.

In operation, the cold stream of air entering the upper duct is throughthe opening 36 circulates as shown by the arrows in Figure 2. Up onentering the duct Ml a part of the cold air flows forwardly andisdischarged through the outlet H downwardly across the front sides ofthe articles or packages l3 within the compartment 1. The remainder ofthe cold air passes rearwardlythrough the duct 40 and then downwardlythrough the duct 32 into the upper duct 30.

Upon entering the upper duct 30 the cold air passes forwardly throughthis duct. At the forward end of the duct 30 the cold air passes intothe forward end of the underlying duct 3| and then rearwardly throughthis duct into the duct 3-2 and downwardly into the ducts" within thenext lower shelf. Upon entering the lowermost duct M the cold air passesrearwardly to the upper end of a vertical duct 59 adjacent the innerside of the rear wall I of the case. The lower end of the duct 59 opensat 62 into the storage compartment 8. Rising through the compartment 8the cold air continues to rise through side ducts one of which is shownin dotted lines at 63 in Figure l, and is returnedthrough these ducts 63to the blast cooler 49 where it is cooled or refrigerated andrecirculatedas described.

The stream of cold air discharged downwardly through the outlet llblankets the open accessible side of the refrigerated merchandiseholding compartment with cold air. This effectively prevents thecollection of moisture and frosting, particularly on the exposedforemost surfaces of the merchandise and the adjacent portions of thecase. Heat and moisture from the outside are thus excluded, and themerchandise is maintained in its proper cold and refrigeratedcondition.The cold air which enters the well l2 may pass upwardly and into a duct91 in the front part 3, and upon entering this duct the'cold air may bepassed downwardly into a horizontal duct 98 and rearwardly to the upperend of the vertical duct 59.

The storage compartment 8 is cooled by the circulation of cold airthrough the overlying duct; also by the cold air circulating downwardlyalong the back of the same through the duct 59 and by the circulationthrough the compart ment 8 to the ducts 63. l

The packages [3 in the respective rows are yieldingly forced forwardlyagainst-the stops 23 by coiled springs 65, in general, in themannerdisclosed in the copending application of Edward F. Brill, Serial No.662,896, filed April 15, 1946. The springs 65 are shown interposed andacting between the inner side of the'rear wall I and the rear side ofthe rearwardmost packages in .the respective rows.

These rearwardmcst packages may be dummy packages fastened. to thesprings or to spring followers to prevent their removal from the case.

As shown in Figure l, the shelves ii are pref-. erably arrangedv withtheir downturnedfront ends 23 extending forwardly increasing distancesfrom the bottom row to the top row. The lower sides or bottoms of theforemost packages in their respective rows extend forwardly from thewalls 2|. This permits the customer to conveniently grasp theforwardmost package It in any desired row, and to remove the same fromthe case, for example, by tilting the package, as shown in dotted linesat 63 in Figure 1-.

' The downturned forward ends it and 23 extend continuously in ahorizontal direction across the front of the shelved portion of therefrigerated merchandise holding compartment for the articles orpackages l3. Outer facing pieces 12 are secured by screws 13 tothedownturned forward ends 46' and 23. These pieces or strips 12 extendhorizontally and continuously across and cover the forward sides of thedepending flanges 46' and 23. The pieces 12 are preferably formed ofrubber, wood, plastic, or other nonfrosting material. The heads at theouter ends of the screws 13 are also preferably formed of or coveredwith rubber, wood, plastic, or other nonfrosting material.

The outer surface of each piece 12 has grooves 16 set at an angle sothat price markers 11 may be flexed to arcuate form and secured in placein front of the respective rows or articles. by springing the ends ofthe markers l'l into the grooves 16.

I The articles or packages 53 in the well 62 may be yieldingly forcedoutwardly against the inner side of the front wall part by one or morecoiled springs in acting, for example, against a suitable follower ll.

In the form of case shown in Figure 3 the shelves l I are formed by coldplates provided, for example, with internal cells, such as shown indetail in the copending application before referred to, through which asuitable refrigerant is circulated. The parts of the case shown inFigure 3 which are like or similar to parts of the case shown in Figure1 are designated by primed reference characters corresponding with thereference characters used in Figure 1.

Where the shelves H are in the form of cold plates with refrigerantcoils therein, the coils are connected in series with the refrigeratingapparatus except for the condenser designated in its entirety at it bysuitable tubes, as more fully disclosed in the previously identifiedapplication of Edward F. Brill, or otherwise as desired. Suffice it tostate that the tubes Tl connect the refrigerating apparatus 16 with therefrigerant inlet of the upper cold plate overlying the upper row ofpackages Hi, the outlet of this plate with the inlet of the next lowerplate, the outlet of this next plate with the inlet of the next plate,the outlet of this next plate with the inlet of 'the next plate, theoutlet of this next plate with the inlet of the bottom plate, and theoutlet of the bottom plate with the refrigerating apparatus 16. i

'I'he refrigerating apparatus 16 is 'housecLjfor example, within acompartment 18 at the top of the case. The walls of the compartment 18have louvers '19 through which air may circulate into and from thecompartment.

The cold plate ll" above the upper row of articles is spaced downwardlyfrom the'cold plate 7 at the top of the compartment 1, and it and thecold plates ll" overlying the other rows of articles have package stops80 suitably secured to their forward ends. The package stops 80cooperate with the upper outer sides of the foremost articles [3' in theunderlying rows and are scooped or hollowed out at 8| for access to thelower portions of the articles in the overlying rows. The stops 80 arepreferabl formed of llllbbel, wood, plastic or other non-frostingmaterial.

The articles or packages [3 in the respective rows may be forcedforwardly against the stops 8!] by springs 65' as in the precedingembodiment of the invention. The articles or packages iii in the well I2may be forced outwardly by springs in, also as in the precedingembodiment of the invention. A follower for the articles in the well I2is shown at as. An air seal, for example, in the form of a flexiblerubber or rubber-like drop curtain 85 may be secured along the bottom ofthe forward marginal edge of the lower shelf II to depend into sealingengagement with the articles in the well l2 to seal the rearwardmost ofsuch articles against entry of heat, warm air, or moisture, if desired.

In Figure 3 the front opening I4 is shown provided with a removablecover 86 for closing this opening at night or whenever the case is notin use. The cover 86 is shown as reduced at its imier end at 81 to enterthe opening l4, and is provided with snap catches 8B for securing it inplace. The cover 86 is removed bodily.

In Figure 3 the space between the upper and downwardly spaced coldplates II" is provided with an auxiliary air cooler and dehydrater 90which is adapted to be removed by sliding it from between the coldplates for defrosting or the like. Secured to the front end of the aircooler 90 is a member 9| which extends continuously across the front ofthe same.

The air cooler 90 has a plurality of upper ducts 92 opening inwardlyfrom the front of the case through an opening 93 in the member 9|; alsoa plurality of underlying ducts 94 discharging from the front of thecase through a discharge outlet or discharge outlets 95 opening throughthe member 9|. The member 9| is preferably formed of rubber, wood,plastic or other nonfrosting material. The rear ends of the ducts 92open downwardly into the rear ends of the ducts 94 for circulation ofair through these ducts, as indicated by the arrows. Rearwardlyextending fins 96 between the upper ducts 92 and similar rearwardlyextending fins 96 between the lower ducts 94 constitute a unitary partof the auxiliary air cooler and dehydrater and provide a radiator-likeconstruction, and thereby maximum cooling surface for the air passingthrough the ducts 92 and 94. A horizontal and rearwardly extendingpartition 98 separates the upper ducts from the lower ducts.

In operation, as the auxiliary air cooler and dehydrater is cooled orrefrigerated, a natural flow of air is produced therethrough. The warmerair enters through the upper openings 93 and passes into the upper duct92. As this air is cooled or refrigerated, it passes rearwardly and downint the lower duct 94 and flows forwardl and is discharged through theopenings 95. The stream or streams of air discharged from the opening oropenings 95 passes, by reason of its cooled or refrigerated condition,downwardly over the front sides of the rows of Pack- 1186 on the shelvesII, and blankets the open accessible side of the refrigerated mechandiseholding compartment with cold air. This effectively prevents thecollection of moisture and frosting, particularly on the exposedforemost surfaces of the merchandise and the adjacent portions of thecase. Heat and moisture from theoutside are thus excluded, and themerchandise is maintained in its proper cold and refrigerated condition.At the same time the cold plates or shelves ll cool or refrigerate thespace within the blanket of cold air so that relatively low temperaturesmay be maintained and moisture collection and frosting eliminatedwithout in anywise reducing the effectiveness of the air stream over theforward sides of the packages.

In the diagram shown in Figure 4, six cold plates or shelves areindicated at a, b, c, d, e, and I. They may be placed, for example, inthe refrigerated merchandise holding compartment of the case, aspreviously described.

Separate refrigerating, or refrigerating and condensing, or refrigerantcirculating units are shown at A and B. The cold plates a, c, and e areconnected in series to the refrigerating or refrigerant circulating unitA and the alternate coldplates b, d, and f are connected to therefrigerating or refrigerant circulating unit B. Thus freezing of abearing in one compressor or tube rupture, or freezing of a valve orother failure in one of the refrigerant circuits will not result incomplete failure. At least partial cooling will be provided by the othercircuit, and the cold plates or refrigerating devices therein and themerchandise holding compartment of-the case will be cooled orrefrigerated thereby.

The embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings are forillustrative purposes only, and it is to be expressly understood thatsaid drawings and the accompanying specification are not to be construedas a definition of the limits or scope of the invention, reference beinghad to the appended claims for that purpose.

We claim:

1. A refrigerated display case comprising a cabinet having a merchandiseholding compartment, spaced apart shelves for supporting articles inoverlying rows in said compartment, interconnected distribution ducts atthe rear and-top of the compartment and between said shelves;- also aduct overlying the upper row of articles, with outlet means at theforward end of said last duct, and means for supplying refrigerated airto rear duct and to the ducts between said shelves and into saidoverlying duct, a portion of the refrigerated air discharging only fromthe outlet means at the forward end of said overlying duct downwardlyover the front sides of the articles on the shelves to exclude heat fromthe outside and to prevent moisture collection and frosting of thearticles.

2. A refrigerated display case comprising a cabinet having a merchandiseholding compartment, spaced apart shelves for supporting articles inoverlying rows in said compartment, distribution ducts for conveying arefrigerating medium between the shelves and including a duct having anoutlet for passage of refrigerated air from position in proximity onlyto the forward end of the top of the upper row of articles downwardlyover the front sides of the articles on the shelves to exclude heat fromthe outside and to prevent moisture collection and frosting of thearticles, a storage compartment beneath said merchandise holdingcompartment with additional duct means 76 communicating with saidfirstdistribution ducts for conveying the refrigerated air along the wall ofsaid storage compartment for refrigerating the same and means fordelivering a refrigerating medium to said ducts.

3. A refrigerated display case according to claim 1 wherein the ductsbetween the shelves except for the overlying duct are closed againstdischarge of the refrigerated air from the forward ends thereof.

4. A refrigerated display case comprising a cabinet having a merchandiseholding compartment, spaced apart shelves for supporting articles inoverlying rows in said compartment, distribution ducts for conveying arefrigerating medium between the shelves, means for discharging refrigerated air from position in proximity to the forward end of the topof the upper row of articles downwardly over the front sides of thearticles on the shelves to exclude heat from the outside and to preventmoisture collection and frosting of the articles, said last meanscomprising an auxiliary air cooler and dehydrater removable from thecase for defrosting, and means for delivering a refrigerating medium tosaid first named ducts.

5. A refrigerated display case comprising a cabinet having a merchandiseholding compartment, spaced apart shelves for supporting articles inoverlying rows in said compartment, distribution ducts for conveying arefrigerating medium between the shelves, means for dischargingrefrigerated air from position in proximity to the forward end of thetop of the upper row of articles downwardly over the front sides of thearticles on the shelves to exclude heat from the outside and to preventmoisture collection and frosting of the articles, said last meanscomprising an auxiliaryair cooler and dehydrater having a duct openinginwardly from the front of the case and extending to the rear of thecase, with the rear end of said duct opening into an un- 10 derlyingduct extending to and discharging from the front, said ducts overlyingsaid shelves, and means for delivering a refrigerating medium to saidfirst named ducts.

6. A refrigerated display case comprising a cabinet having a merchandiseholding compartment, spaced apart shelves for supporting articles inoverlying rows in said compartment, distribution ducts for conveying arefrigerating medium between the shelves, means for dischargingrefrigerated air from position in proximity to the forward end of thetop of the upper row or articles downwardly over the front sides of thearticles on the shelves to exclude heat from the outside and to preventmoisture collection and frosting of the articles, said last meanscomprising an auxiliary air cooler and dehydrater having ducts openinginwardly from the front of the case and extending to the rear of thecase, with the rear ends of said ducts opening into underlying ductsextending to and discharging from the front, said ducts overlying saidshelves, and fins between the upper ducts and the lower ducts forproviding maximum cooling surface for the air passing therethrough, andmeans for delivering a refrigerating medium to said first nameddistribution ducts.

EDWARD F. BRILL. ORVAL SCI-IROEDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PAENTS Number Name Date 2,223,761 Hall et al Dec. 3, 19402,243,958 Hermann June 3, 1941 2,299,347 Rifkin Oct. 20, 1942 2,332,174Shreve Oct. 19, 1943 2,421,314 Brinkoeter May 27, 1947

